Indigofera tinctoria
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Indigofera tinctoria

true indigo

  family fabaceae 
  genus indigofera 

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Identification
Genus  Indigofera Species  tinctoria Variety  Cultivar  Common names  true indigo Family  FABACEAE Specimen number  S8588 Data source  DyePl p33
 
Life cycle
Life form  Terrestrial Life cycle  Various Life span    Annual cycle  Not applicable Stature  Various Growth form  Not applicable Growth habit  Various Overall height    Overall spread   
 
Climate
Sunshine  Various Water  Various Optimal soil texture  Various Acceptable soil pH  Various USDA hardiness  Not classified AHS heat zones  Not classified Sunset climate zones  Not classified
 
Garden
Suitable for gardens  no Nursery  Unknown Compost  no Size at acquisition  Unknown Garden location  Unknown Garden notes  The leaves of Indigofera tinctoria have been used in traditional fabric dyeing. Blue is the most typical color produced by True indigo. Indigo is one of the classic dyes of the ancients and has been in use for centuries. It is used in dyeing wool. When dyeing with this plant, sodium hydroxide is used as a mordant to fix the color to the fabric. Indigo dye is obtained through fermentation of the leaves. The paste which settles to the bottom of the fermentation bath is formed into cakes, then finely ground into powder, which is used in the dyer's vat.
 
Special qualities
Tolerates drought  no Tolerates high humidity  no Tolerates seaside conditions  no Insect resistant  no Disease resistant  no Deer resistant  no Best uses    Symbiosis  Attracts butterflies  no Attracts hummingbirds  no Autumn foliage  no Colorful berries  no Desirable qualities    Other interest    Other interest color  Other interest period   
 
Adverse factors
Common pests  Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  no Dermatologic poison  no Livestock poison  no Mechanical injury  no Hay fever pollen    Hay fever season    Adverse qualities   
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties  Medicinal parts  Has medicinal uses  no Do not self-administer  no Do no use if pregnant  no Legally restricted  no Toxicity precautions  Medicinal notes 
 
Traditional uses
Parts used  Traditional uses  Contemporary uses  Fragrance  Fragrance parts  Fragrance intensity    Fragrance category    Dye parts  Leaves Dye color  blue
 
Cultivation
Propagule  Various Pollination method    Planting style    Crop spacing    Row spacing    Cold frame  Planting period    Harvesting period    Frost tolerance    Heat requirement    Fertilizer  Typical Time to harvest 
 
Nutrition
Is edible  no Culinary uses  Nutritional value  Edible parts  Description of edible parts Flavor / texture 
 
Horticulture
Horticulture notes  Indigofera tinctoria may have originated from East Indies.
 
Herbarium
Tag needs printing  no Collection notes 

Page 2371 of 4998

Last reviewed November 01, 2004   

 

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